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Street version of Subaru BRZ to debut at NAIAS next week

Subaru has announced the production version of the new, rear-wheel drive 2013 Subaru BRZ sports car will make its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 9. The BRZ adds a new line to the Subaru brand, pursuant to its fourth consecutive year of sales growth, which set an all-time vehicle sales record last year.
Posted: January 6, 2012 - 5:17PM
Author: Don Bain
The 2013 Subaru BRZ will debut at NAIAS next week.

When models arrive in dealerships late this spring, The 2013 Subaru BRZ will begin to demonstrate exceptional handling to the world. Subaru engineers developed a chassis with the lowest possible center of gravity – thanks to the storied Boxer engine design.

The BRZ gets an all-new naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower horizontally opposed engine, created to address its specific needs. The new FA engine is more compact allowing it to be placed lower and closer to the firewall. To gain a low center of gravity, a rear-drive layout was chosen so the engine would be mounted as low as possible. This placement allows for low polar movement and near-perfect balance, enabling the essence of sports car handling to be brought out in it.

With a curb weight of only about 2,700 lbs., the direct injected 2.0-liter motor provides quick acceleration up to its 7,400 RPM redline. The Subaru BRZ comes with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The roofline is just 50.6 inches high, swept-back with bulging front fenders, abbreviated overhangs and accentuated rear haunches giving the sleek BRZ a fleet, athletic look – like a sprinter stretched out into starting position. The Subaru BRZ will offer everyday practicality with 2+2 seating and expandable trunk space, not to mention the brand's reliable safety and quality.

The 2013 Subaru BRZ reflects the brand's core powertrain and chassis engineering throughout. According to our contacts at Subaru, this is the first rear-wheel-drive vehicle produced by Subaru since the 1950's, adding a new aspect to their line of all-wheel drive sedans and small SUV's. The brand’s phenomenal reliability and all-weather mobility are the reasons they are the best selling brand in Colorado.

Next summer we have a feeling the song blasting out of the BRZ’s sound system will surely be Lynyrd Skynyrd’s, “They call me the breeze, I keep blowin’ down the road.”

Our hat’s off to songwriter J. J. Cale and all the designers at Subaru.

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Comments

Nicolas Zart    January 6, 2012 - 6:34PM

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I saw both Subaru's BRZ and Toyota's Scion FR-S and was struck by them. Technically, the grapevine says Subarau did most of the development and it shows in the layout.

I love Subaru as a company and the BRZ is one smartly engineered car. As much as I love the BRZ, I felt Scion's other prototype was more alluring somehow, on a purely aesthetic basis. In the end, when it comes down to choosing one, I'm often reminded of the fact that 98% of all Subarus ever made are still on the road. Hard to argue against that. Will they trade it in for our 2002 WRX?